Walmart employee stabbed to death in ‘random event’ at Lake Elsinore store, authorities say

An employee was stabbed to death at a Lake Elsinore Walmart on Monday morning, authorities said.

Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Walmart in the 29000 block of Central Avenue shortly after 7 a.m. after reports of an assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect, 29-year-old Lonnie Hinton, allegedly stabbed Jessica Morales, an employee at the store, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Morales, 65, was medically treated but died on the scene.

Hinton, of Wildomar, later turned himself in at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station and was arrested on suspicion of murder. Hinton was released from state prison earlier this year on a robbery charge, and was on parole at the time of the attack, investigators said.

“This appears to be a random event,” authorities said. “There was no interaction between the suspect and the victim prior to the assault.”

“We’re heartbroken by what’s happened at our Lake Elsinore store,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement. “The facility will remain closed as we work with police during their investigation. We offer our condolences and support to the family during this difficult time and will continue working with our associates, providing support as needed.”